Forgetting a password is annoying, but it happens to almost everyone. When it comes to login data for an online shop or a web portal, you can usually simply reset the password. However, if you have forgotten your Windows password, you are pretty much trapped because you can no longer access your own computer. Reinstalling Windows would lead to a complete loss of data.
If you are still using Windows XP, it looks really bleak. However, since Windows Vista, there is a workaround (or rather a security hole) with which you can reset your password or regain admin rights without having to log in. The trick seems to work fine even with Windows 10.
Important: We expressly point out that any improper use of the security hole is illegal and we accept no liability for any damage to our own or third-party data/devices.
Instructions: How to regain access to your computer via magnify.exe
- First, you need a Windows installation medium (USB stick or DVD). The installation medium is essential. You can easily create such a medium on any other PC with the Windows
- Now you shut down your computer and restart. Here you have to open the boot menu. You open this with one of the F1-F12 keys. Which key the hotkey is on is different for each manufacturer. (Do not confuse the boot menu with the BIOS! You can recognize the BIOS by the fact that there are many things to set. In the boot menu you can only select the drive or medium.)
- If you have now reached the boot menu, select your installation medium. (The created USB stick or the DVD).
- Windows setup will now start. As soon as it has finished loading, you have to select the language. In the next step, you click on the text "Repair your Computer" at the bottom left.
- A menu now opens. In this menu, you first select the troubleshooting and then the second command prompt. Now the so-called “Terminal” appears, in which you even have system rights. (System rights are higher than administrator rights.)
- In the command prompt, type Notepad.exe to open the text editor. There you select “File” in the top left and then choose “Open”.
- You should now be able to see Windows Explorer. In this you navigate to the drive on which Windows is installed. There you open the folder “Windows” and then look for the folder “system32”.
- If you haven't had any problems by now, the goal is within sight. You now change the “file type” from “text files” to “all files”. The result is that you can now also see and edit applications.
- Now search for the Magnify file and rename it to “Magnify_old”. (If nothing changes now, don't panic. Changes may only be displayed after an update. So simply navigate back with the blue arrow above and then open the “system32” folder again.)
- Next you look for the file cmd and create a shortcut in the same folder. (You may have to open the folder again to see it.) You rename the shortcut to “Magnify”. You have now completed the most important steps! Now close everything and restart the computer.
- As soon as you have the start screen in front of your eyes, press Enter. Now you should have come to the screen where you have to enter your password. You now press the symbol in the middle at the bottom right. There you open the magnifier. If you did everything correctly, the terminal will now open. You have system rights in this terminal.
- If you now want to change your password, enter “net user” first. You will now see all users. Next, enter “net user your name *). At “your name” you insert your username. Behind it you make the star. (Attention: if the username should be separated, you have to put it in “”. Example: net user “your name” *)
- Now you can set a new password for the selected account.
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